The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-08-20

The woful story OF the Blennerhassetts enlists
sympathy because of the beauty and wit of Mrs.
Blennerhassett, and because Of the intelligence
and education OF her husband. Moreover the
tragic events of their lives occurred near Mari
eta, and is closely. allied with the accumulated
historical associations OF that rare old town.
Among the foreigners attracted to this coun-
try after the war of the revolution had been
fought was Herman Blennerhassett, q rich
and cultured Irishman, who had desire to
leave his own land because the oppression of
the English made it no longer pleasant or desir-
able to live there.
Blennerhassett was educated for the bar and
he possessed a profitable estate. After his
fathers death and his own marriage to Miss
Agnew, he disposed OF his property and sailed
for the United States with his wife and friend
named Emmett.
Blennerhussctt and his wife halted but n
fortnight in New York and then pushed West
to the new settlements in Ohio. They came
down the river in keel-boat to Marietta and
spent their first winter. The refined New Eng
land society which they found afforded them
pleasure and they in turn became social favor
ties, for they were both charming people Of
high birth and breeding.
ed part of u beautiful island in the Ohio river q
dozen miles below Marietta and set to work to
build house upon It,. The island has borne his
name from the time he bought it.
He built upon his island commodious and
luxurious house, a cut of which is appended.
1t is said that upwards of fifty thousand dol
lars was expended by Blennerhasset upon his
island home and its surroundings. The unique
and splendid beauty Of the spot was heralded
throughout the country by travellers. Graceful
pens have described 1t as an enchanted isle upon
the wavecaressed shores Of which golden
dropping branches OF the willow and lavish
clusters of eglantine grew, while tendrils of
honeysuckle festooned the lofty branches
of the fine old forest trees that tower
ed above the water. There was nothing to break
the quiet solace of these cultured foreigners but
the rpples Of the waters, the dip Of the oar, the
quick stroke Of the canoe paddle or the musical
song of wild birds.
For eight years this lovely home was enjoyed
by the Blennerhassetts, and then the hand Of
the spoilcr was raised against it.
Aaron Burr, filled with restlcssness and dis
appointed ambition, came wandering like q
spirit OF evil over the Western waters. He ap-
preached Blennerhassett's Isle, and its mistress
offered him the hospitality Of her home. He
spent n night ut the island, and after his de.
parture exchanged some letters with Blenner-
hassett, in which he outlined his plan for es.
tablishing colony or government in the South.
west. Burr again visited the island, this time
accompanied by his daughter, the wife of Gov
ernor Aston, Of South Carolina. Alston soon
Joined the party, and plans for a colony 10 be
established in what was vaguely called the
Louisiana Company were formulated.
Burr inspired the Blennerhassetts with su-
prcme confidence in himself, and his fine ad.
dress, coupled with his recent high official po-
sition-Vice President OF the Uuitcd States
caused them to lend crcdulous ear to his
words, and to agree to leave their island home